Discover the Delights of Yunnan including The Torch Festival! July 21–August 6, 2016
Dear Travelers: elevation of 6,500 feet, the summer Torch Join us!... and discover the delights of Yunnan, Festival, and small towns with traditional including the Torch Festival! architecture and cultural traditions. The expedition will feature a special look We will also visit two of the Great Lakes of at the Torch Festival of Yunnan’s ethnic the Yunnan Plateau, and venture to the edge minorities. A traditional festival of the Yi and of Tibet Plateau. Here ethnic Tibetan and Naxi Bai ethnic minority people, the festival lasts for people practice ways of several days in high summer, and includes life that retain ancient dancing, bonfires, singing competitions and traditions. Old Town contests in which bulls skirmish one another Lijiang is recognized to see whose bull is the strongest. as a World Heritage Yunnan is home to more than twenty of China’s Site because of the ethnic minority groups. Our journey will offer distinctive culture. a chance to meet people from at least six of We will also climb these nationalities. from Lijiang past Tiger Leaping Gorge to Yunnan is a world away from the urban centers Zhongdian, now known of Eastern China, holding cultural influences as the fabled Shangrila. from Southeast Asia and the nearby Himalayan and Tibetan mountain regions, arguably the Join us and discover most scenic, and certainly the most culturally a truly remarkable part diverse part of China. of the world! Several of Asia’s most powerful rivers, like Best Regards, the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween, flow through Yunnan on their course from Tibet to the sea, creating a spectacular landscape of parallel Margaret M. Betchart canyons and mountain ranges, now a World President, Heritage Site. Betchart Expeditions Inc. Highlights of our trip include Kunming, for AAAS, Sigma Xi, ACS Yunnan’s capital city, situated at the refreshing & The Planetary Society LEADERSHIP Leading this expedition will be Dr. Chris Carpenter. Chris has led expeditions for Betchart throughout China since 1994 including trips to Xinjiang and Hunza, Beijing and the Feathered Dinosaur sites, Sichuan for the pandas and Tibetan Highlands, and trips by train from Shanghai to Xian. Chris has a Ph.D. in ecology from UC Davis, and is also adept at providing information about the local cultures in each area. He speaks Chinese and several other Asian languages. When not traveling, Chris lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Joining Chris for the Yunnan trip will be a talented local Chinese guide. They look forward to sharing the delights of Yunnan and the Torch Festival with you!
ITINERARY
Days 1/2 Los Angeles to Shanghai evergreen forest similar to what once covered & Kunming vast expanses of Yunnan Province. We will then Depart from Los Angeles to Shanghai. Cross the take the trans-lake gondola from the West Hills to International Date Line en route. the Nationalities Museum. See exhibits devoted Day 3 Shanghai to Kunming, China to the traditional cultures of Yunnan’s many ethnic Arrive Shanghai, and make a direct connection to minority groups. our flight to Kunming, China. Meet your leaders Day 5 Yunnan University & the and transfer to Grand Park Hotel (2 nights) near (Karst Limestone) Stone Forest Green Lake. In the afternoon take a stroll and start Depart for Yunnan University for a special visit. to get acquainted with Kunming. Welcome dinner. This institution now includes the Yunnan University Day 4 Dian Chi Lake Science Park, and participates in the Greater Mekong & Nationalities Museum Sub-region Academic and Research Network. Our introduction to Yunnan begins with a visit to In the early afternoon depart for the Shilin Stone the West Hills, a limestone escarpment at the western Forest, a starkly beautiful, geologically distinctive edge of Dian Chi Lake. We will climb carved stone formation of karst limestone that lies in the country steps to grottoes that hold Daoist and Chinese side to the east of Kunming. Tour the Stone Forest Buddhist figures. Paths among limestone crags late in the day when low-angle light brings out offer good views of Dian Chi, one of Yunnan’s Great contours in the ornately eroded spires. Hotel Lakes. The West Hills also support native broad leaf near Stone Forest. Day 6 Lufeng Dinosaur Site & Chuxiong Continue through the mountains to Weishan, Depart the Stone Forest this morning for a scenic town near the ancestral homeland of the the Lufeng Dinosaur site. Here we can see many indigenous Bai minority people. Explore older dinosaurs in situ and there are 110 complete fossils neighborhoods in Weishan where families of Han of4 3 dinosaur species. We will continue to Chuxiong, Chinese, Bai and Hui (Chinese Muslim) people have a traditional cultural center for a large population of been living together for generations. Yi people. The Yi people in the city are largely See people making the festival torches in Weishan assimilated to Han Chinese ways, but people in the Old Town. They are composed of resin-impregnated surrounding countryside maintain their cultural pine—it’s the most exciting time of year in Weishan! traditions, including their own dress. In the evening, enjoy Torch Festival activities. Chuxiong basin is the headwaters for the Red Weishan Hotel. River (Hong He), which flows from Yunnan through Day 8 Weishan to Dali & Erhai Lake northern Vietnam to the Gulf of Tonkin. En route Depart Weishan for Dali, passing through fertile to Chuxiong, we will valleys enclosed by mountains cloaked in Yunnan follow the old Burma Pine. En route, we will visit Dacang, an agricultural Road, used for town with a large Hui Muslim population. centuries as a ‘Southern Silk” trade Lunch in Xiaguan, at the south end of Erhai Lake, thoroughfare and the most beautiful of the “Great lakes” that grace the more recently to Yunnan Plateau. It is situated at the foot of the steeply support China’s faulted and eroded Cangshan mountain range. “War Against Japanese Visit Zhoucheng town in the afternoon, an Aggression.” On arrival, important village for the Bai people’s rendition of visit the Chuxiong the Torch Festival. Tonight the local Bai people of Museum. Zhoucheng celebrate by lighting resin-impregnated This evening enjoy pine torches, gallivanting in the dusk, singing and Yi minority singing dancing with torches in hand. Dali Hotel (2 nights). and dancing perform Day 9 The Walled City of Dali ances for the opening This morning, we will explore the Dali Ancient ceremony of the Torch Festival, with fireworks and Town and its environs, a fertile plain that is poised Yi dancing around bonfires. Chuxiong Hotel. strategically between the Cangshan Mountains and Day 7 Chuxiong to Weishan Erhai Lake. In ancient times, Dali was the power Depart Chuixong for Weishan, a tranquil agricul center for the kingdoms of Nanzhao and Dali, tural town with much traditional architecture and which dominated large areas of Southern China and active cottage industries along a scenic walking SE Asia. We will take a boat trip along the western street. En route we will pass Midu, a stopover for shore of the lake to a small temple in Panxi. We will the American Flying Tigers during World War II. The then board the Zhonghe cable car which gives mountains we cross today are outliers of the mighty access to the Cangshan Mountain “Cloud Path.”n I Himalaya, formed from compression and faulting late afternoon explore the interesting streets of Dali’s from the ongoing collision between India and Tibet. ancient walled city. Day 10 Dali to Jianchuan Along Day 12 Lijiang the Old Tibet Road Take a walking tour of Old Town Lijiang, a Depart for Jianchuan (Sword River), once a hub UNESCO World Heritage Site that is renowned all for trade between China and Tibet which also over China for its canal-lined alleys, garden court served as the northern outpost of the ancient yards, and delicate Nanzhao Kingdom. En route, we will pass the vistas. Visit a local western shore of Erhai Lake and stop at the Bai food market and Minority village of Chengzhou to explore on foot. the Visitor Center In the afternoon we will visit sites in the mountains for the Nature west of Jianchuan, including Shizhongshan (Stone Conservancy’s Bell Mountain), where Buddhist-themed frescoes Yunnan Great were carved into cliff-side alcoves during the Rivers Project. Song Dynasty about a thousand years ago. Time Afternoon excur permitting, we may visit the nearby village of Shaxi, sion to Lashi Lake, once a station along China’s “tea–horse” trade route an action area for the Nature Conservancy’s Great with Tibet. Shaxi Guest House or Jianchuan Hotel. Rivers Project. Here local villagers cooperate to Day 11 Jianchuan [or Shaxi] To Lijiang protect the shore of the lake as habitat for a variety of This morning, we will visit Jianchuan’s tranquil migratory waterfowl. Near Lashi Lake is the Ziyun Confucian Temple, then traverse high basins en route (Purple Cloud) Monastery, which shows influences to the city of Lijiang, set atop a plateau between two of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the local Naxi religion. sharp bends of the Jinsha (Upper Yangtze) River. Day 13 Jade Dragon Mountain Scenic Area Our Hotel (3 nights) is located near the entrance to Depart for Jade Dragon Mountain Scenic Area the architecturally distinctive Old Town of Lijiang. north of Lijiang. Take the park shuttle buses and Enjoy a late afternoon excursion to the Museum of walk (or possibly ride a chairlift) to alpine pastures Naxi Culture and the Black Dragon Pool Scenic Area. near some of Southwest China’s most spectacular mountain peaks. The subalpine landscapes in this area are among China’s most spectacular. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rises to an elevation over 18,000 feet and holds Asia’s southernmost glaciers. There are numerous opportunities to explore here. Enjoy an evening cultural performance of traditional music. Day 14 Lijiang to Zhongdian (“Xianggelila” or Shangrila) Depart for the town of Zhongdian, which the local government has renamed Xianggelila (“Shangrila”) and local Tibetan people call Gyaltang. Descend by coach to the upper Yangtze River near it’s first “Great Bend,” pass Tiger Leaping Gorge, then climb a tributary valley to the plateau landscape at an • • • THESIGM SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHA X SOCIETYI ACS The Planetary Society or
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or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner’s It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole risk entirely. contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time Photos courtesy of David Huang and others. war, quarantine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such quarantine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. war, Map ©2015 passengers are not on board their plane or part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any per unless arrange No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour of the tour. ments are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to arrange leader of similar expertise or reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates pro losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, The Planetary Society act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transpor we can assume no liability tion and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, services the with connection in irregularity or accident loss, delay, damage, injury, for Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science and (ACS), Society Chemical American Society, Research Scientific The Xi, Sigma (AAAS), Transfer Shanghai Day 17 Grand Park Hotel. Grand Park of Day 1 Fly timber of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the additional or losses for responsibility any accept cannot We tour. the of arrangements stri expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, refurbished Visit elevation the Look Depart Day 15 houses chasms Rivers of Tibet alpine elevation Hotel (2 nights). AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions The Planetary Society BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435
FIRST CLASS
Discover the Delights of Yunnan including... THE TORCH FESTIVAL! July 21–August 6, 2016
Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: Air fare quoted is based COSTS & CONDITIONS on a group fare from Los Angeles to Kunming on China Eastern Airlines. Please contact Taunya at (800) 252 Trip Fee: $4,595 per person (plus air fare of $1,695 from 4910 for more information. AIR FARES ARE SUBJECT TO Los Angeles to Kunming, round trip) plus $225 in-tour flight. CHANGE UNTIL TICKETED. Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport, group airport Accommodations: Will be in first class and country style transfers, accommdations, all meals in Yunnan, tips to hotels based on twin share. Expect a good bed, showers, drivers and local guides, entrance fees, baggage handling, Western style toilets, and carefully prepared food. Single leadership, and administration. accommodations are available for a supplement of $795. Reservations, Deposits, & Payments: Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Air quote (quoted Please mail a deposit of $500 per person with separately), independent transfers; visa fees; gratuities to the completed reservation form to: leaders; personal items such as laundry, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, sodas, snacks; personal insurance; Yunnan Torch Festival 2016 or foreign airport departure taxes. Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, What to Expect: Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 This expedition is for travelers who would enjoy The balance is due 60 days before departure. exploring the cultural and natural heritage of Yunnan Questions: Please call Betchart Expeditions Inc. Province, the most scenic area in China, with a special Telephone: (800) 252 4910 opportunity to enjoy the many festivities of the traditional or (408) 252 4910 Torch Festival on three days, including singing and Fax: (408) 252 1444 dancing, festive torch-light parades, bull fights, and more! Email: [email protected] Leading the expedition will be an outstanding naturalist and excellent Chinese guide. The group will travel 3 to 4 hours Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is by bus several days. We will take time for both planned refundable up to 60 days before departure less a handling and spontaneous stops to walk, photograph, and talk with fee of $100 per person. There is no refund after the 60-day local people. period unless your place is resold, then Weather is pleasant with midday temperatures in the only the $100 per 70’s to upper 80’s. Elevations will range from 6,500 feet in person handling fee Kunmingo t 10,000–11,000 feet in the Jade Dragon Mountains is withheld. There and Zhongdian. Most time will be spent between 6,000 and are no refunds for 8,000 feet. This expedition will be a tremendous experience unused meals or for travelers with an appetitie for adventure. It will provide other expedition a wonderful opportunity to see the Torch Festival and to features. explore this extraordinary part of China! (No smoking in vehicles, during lectures, or meals, please.)